Will Fabregas’ controversial comments destabilise Arsenal’s recovering season? Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City are hovering…
“If he does not leave now he will be at Arsenal forever,” was the jist of Cesc’s comments to his former colleague this weekend.
Fabregas’ words sound haunting. Perhaps staying at Arsenal forever is a fate he would have done anything to avoid, but the Dutchman is entitled to be different.
Through his seasons at Arsenal, RvP has struggled to stay fit for the whole year, cutting a frustrated individual at times, and despite Holland reaching the final of World Cup 2010, he was a bit part player.
Now in phenomenal form, van Persie is indispensable for club and country, and will spearhead Holland’s attack at Euro 2012 next summer.
Why change any of this?
If van Persie is happy, which is football shows he is, surely there is no need to mess with it?
At 28 the Dutchman has seen many of his once esteemed colleagues for pastures new, with mixed success.
For all the promise Cesc has shown in early starts for Barcelona, let’s remember Alexander Hleb, and even the great Thierry Henry, who could only really class one of his three seasons in the Nou Camp a success.
Are medals really beyond Arsenal? Van Persie will be well advised to stay, give it his all, and commit to Wenger’s project.
In truth for all his standout performances this season, Arsenal are still tipped to finish potless, a transition to a better future.
If he goes the progress of the club could stutter for a year or two, regardless of the replacement.
Can he afford to wait for the club to catch up with him?
For RvP, it could all depend on qualifying for the Champions League.
So Cesc is right, his former colleague is at a junction, with regards to his contract, Arsenal’s situation, and age. If he signs a new contract, he will likely stay for the next five years. If he doesn’t Arsenal must sell him and get the best price they can.
But he will do well to remember this: Stay forever, and regardless of what happens, he will be remembered as a legend by the fans of the club he has spent his adult career at.
Leave, and he will be just another player who passed through.
– Should he stay or should he go?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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